Kiki’s Mexican Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that captures the essence of Mexican cuisine in every bite.
Packed with tender chicken, sweet corn, hearty black beans, and juicy cherry tomatoes, this salad offers a compelling mix of textures and flavors.
Tossed in a zesty dressing with a hint of lime and spices, it’s a refreshing and satisfying meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
Whether served on a bed of crunchy tortilla chips or nestled atop fresh salad greens, Kiki’s Mexican Chicken Salad is sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire.
How Long Will It Take To Prepare?
The preparation time for Kiki’s Mexican Chicken Salad typically ranges from 15 to 20 minutes for preparing the ingredients and dressing to around 5 to 10 minutes for assembling the salad.
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients: Depending on whether you’re using pre-cooked or raw ingredients, preparing the chicken, corn, beans, vegetables, and dressing should take around 10 to 15 minutes.
- Make the Dressing: Whisking together the ingredients for the dressing should take no more than 5 minutes.
- Assemble the Salad: Mixing the prepared salad ingredients with the dressing should take around 5 minutes.
- Total Time: 25 to 35 minutes from start to finish
- Yield: 4 servings
How Do You Make Kiki’s Mexican Chicken Salad?
Essential Ingredients For Kiki’s Mexican Chicken Salad:
For the Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- One avocado, diced
- One jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced (optional, for added heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tortilla chips or salad greens for serving
For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Two tablespoons of lime juice
- One teaspoon of ground cumin
- One teaspoon of chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Essential Instructions For The Kiki’s Mexican Chicken Salad:
Step 1
Prepare the Salad Ingredients
Cook chicken breasts by boiling, grilling, or baking until fully cooked. Allow them to cool, then dice or shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2
If using fresh corn, cook it by boiling or grilling until tender. If using canned or frozen corn, drain and rinse it. Drain and rinse the black beans if using canned.
Step 3
Halve the cherry tomatoes, finely chop the red onion, and dice the avocado. Chop the cilantro and dice the jalapeño pepper if using.
Step 4
Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Step 5
Assemble the Salad
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, corn kernels, black beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, diced avocado, and diced jalapeño pepper (if using).
Step 6
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Step 7
Serve
To serve, arrange tortilla chips on a serving platter or individual plates. Spoon the Mexican chicken salad onto the tortilla chips or serve it over a bed of salad greens.
Additional Tips For Kiki’s Mexican Chicken Salad:
- For added flavor, you can grill the chicken breasts and corn for a smoky taste.
- Customize the salad by adding additional ingredients such as bell peppers, diced mango, or shredded cheese.
- If you prefer a spicier salad, leave the seeds in the jalapeño pepper or add a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
- This salad can be served immediately or chilled in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Leftover salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Nutrition Facts Of Kiki’s Mexican Chicken Salad
Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown for Kiki’s Mexican Chicken Salad per serving, based on a primary dish serving size (assuming four servings):
Nutrition | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 400 calories |
Total Fat | 25 grams |
Saturated Fat | 5 grams |
Cholesterol | 80 milligrams |
Sodium | 400 milligrams |
Total Carbohydrates | 25 grams |
Dietary Fiber | 7 grams |
Sugars | 5 grams |
Protein | 25 grams |
These values can vary based on factors such as the specific ingredients used, portion sizes, and any modifications to the recipe.
Conclusion
Kiki’s Mexican Chicken Salad offers a compelling fusion of Mexican flavors and textures. With tender chicken, sweet corn, hearty black beans, and juicy cherry tomatoes, it’s a delightful balance of freshness and depth.
Tossed in a zesty dressing with a hint of lime and spices, this salad is a refreshing and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Whether served on a bed of crunchy tortilla chips or atop fresh salad greens, Kiki’s Mexican Chicken Salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.